Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
Meh. I sped it up to 2.5 just to get through. I didn’t hate it, but it was never as good as I’d hoped it would get.
Let me start by saying I love the cover, it is super cute and colourful which is what drew me to the book in the first place. I am one of those people, who judge a book by their cover . This is a second chance romance story, two best friends who haven’t spoken in ten years pretend to date after break-ups with their respective exes go viral online. I like the blurb for this book as we currently live in the digital age where things like this happen daily. The pair were great friends growing up and obviously both had feelings for each other all along, however when we found out the reason the two no longer spoke, it just all seemed a little drastic over a tiny misunderstanding. Also the way Levi was still pining over his ex who is out dating other guys, when he has supposedly been in love with June all along it just didn't gel for me.
I liked the writing style and the pace I just didn't really like how it was all put together. It is the first book I have read by the author, who I would read again in hopes of a better plot.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the writing style and the pace I just didn't really like how it was all put together. It is the first book I have read by the author, who I would read again in hopes of a better plot.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A little bit cute and a little bit boring. While there is plot, it’s beyond predictable. I didn’t laugh out loud, feel shocked, or feel overwhelmed by the romance even once. And really—I should have. A female main character falling in love with her high school best friend while selling tea and scones all day? Feels like it should’ve been made for me.
I could go on, but really—that’s the gist.
I could go on, but really—that’s the gist.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞-𝗨𝗣 𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 is a heartfelt, slow-burn romance wrapped in the sparkle of viral fame and emotional second chances. Emma Lord brings her signature warmth and wit to this more mature story about two former best friends—June and Levi—reuniting after a decade of silence and very public breakups. June is determined to save her late sister’s tea shop, while Levi returns to their beachside hometown to regroup after his failed engagement and shelved writing dreams. A viral photo sparks rumors of a romance, and the fake-dating scheme that follows is both fun and deeply moving. As they reconnect through carefully staged "couple" photos, old wounds resurface—and so do real feelings. This isn’t just a rom-com; it’s a tender look at grief, ambition, and the messy path back to trust. Emma Lord delivers a lovely, emotional payoff in the end.
Struggled to pay attention to this one - I don’t think it was the most successful fake dating I’ve read and I already don’t love when the characters have a history so it didn’t amount to much for me. ALSO I think the animosity that June felt for Levi was unwarranted and the big lead up to the awful thing he did ended with a very underwhelming reveal :/
It was really slow and I couldn’t get into it. It seemed like a cute story but there wasn’t enough meat to keep me hooked.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I am a romance person but this feels like an awful romance book that drags on for so long. I almost dnf this many times but I had a long car ride so I needed something. It just felt so predictable and so ugh annoying at the same time. Like I want reality and that was not what this brought. Some parts of this was cute but mostly this felt very bland.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated